Ovarian Cancer progression and metastasis

Centres > Centre for Cancer Research > Reproductive Development and Cancer > Ovarian Cancer progression and metastasis

Research Project:
Ovarian Cancer progression and metastasis

Research Group: Reproductive Development and Cancer

Project Leaders:
Dr Kaye Stenvers, email kaye.stenvers@mimr-phi.org
Dr Maree Bilandzic, email maree.bilandzic@hudson.org.au

Cancer of the ovary is the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Diagnosis of ovarian cancer often occurs only after it has advanced and the tumour has spread, making treatment options difficult and ineffective.

Most cancer deaths are a result of metastasis, or the spread of cancer by malignant cells moving away from the primary tumour site to distant parts of the body. Understanding how these cells migrate to and invade new sites is essential for the prevention and treatment of metastasis. In our studies, we directly manipulate specific genesand pathways to see if we can alter the ability of ovarian cancer cells to metastasise. The goal of our research is to block the spread of cancers by disrupting key invasion processes.

In our most recent work, we have developed a novel culture system and combined this with real-time measurements of the metastatic process. This system has enabled us to identify gene expression changes at the very earliest stages of metastasis, when new therapeutics would be most effective at blocking the disease.

Collaborators

Monash Health Translation Precinct
Monash University
University of Melbourne
Royal Women’s Hospital
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation